Bottom fillable bottles and systems for charging the same

ABSTRACT

A bottle assembly is provided having a body portion defining a cavity therein, a top lid assembly connectable to the body portion, which includes a selectively deployable and retractable spout, a spout bottom lid; and a resilient tube having a lumen therethrough, wherein the lumen is occluded when the spout is retracted and the resilient tube is kinked, and wherein the lumen is opened when the spout is deployed and the resilient tube is not kinked; a trigger assembly for selectively moving the spout between a deployed and a retracted condition; and a bottom lid assembly selectively connectable to a bottom end of the body portion, the bottom lid assembly including a valve assembly to open and close a fluid path into the cavity of the body portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Continuation of and claims the benefit ofand priority to U.S. Pat. No. 8,827,106 issued on Sep. 9, 2014, which isa Continuation of and claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Pat.No. 8,215,344, issued on Jul. 10, 2012, and is a Continuation of andclaims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Pat. No. 7,708,035, issued onMay 4, 2010, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/934,229 filed on Jun. 12, 2007 andis a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Pat. No. 7,766,057, issued on Aug. 3,2010, which claims the benefit of and priority to each of the followingapplications: International Application Serial No. PCT/US05/42043, filedNov. 21, 2005; U.S. Pat. No. 8,113,247, issued on Feb. 14, 2012 whichclaims the benefit of and priority to International Application SerialNo. PCT/US05/42041, filed Nov. 21, 2005; U.S. Pat. No. 8,082,956, issuedon Dec. 27, 2011 which claims the benefit of and priority toInternational Application Serial No. PCT/US05/42042, filed Nov. 21,2005; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,824,545, issued on Nov. 2, 2010 which claimsthe benefit of and priority to International Application Serial No.PCT/US05/42051, filed Nov. 21, 2005, the entire contents of each of theabove-noted applications which being incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to fluid dispensers and containers and,more particularly, to bottles and the like which may be filled from thebottom thereof and to systems for charging the bottom fillable bottleswith a fluid or the like.

2. Background of Related Art

Typically, bottles are filled with fluid through an opening formed nearor at a top end thereof. The opening may then be closed with a cap whichmust first be removed in order to dispense the fluid from within thebottle, or closed with a dispensing cap which may be selectively openedin order to dispense the fluid from within the bottle without thedispensing cap being removed therefrom. The dispensing cap facilitatesand expedites access to the fluid and dispensing of the fluid from thebottle.

However, the process of filling and closing the bottle is stillrelatively slow and inefficient. In order to fill the bottle, the capmust be removed, the bottle filled with the fluid, and the cap replacedon the bottle to close the bottle and prevent loss of the fluidtherefrom.

A need exists for bottles which may be quickly and easily filled orcharged with fluid, with or without removing a cap therefrom.

A need also exists for systems for charging and/or recharging empty orspent bottles with fluid in a facile and efficient manner.

SUMMARY

Bottle assemblies and the like, which may be filled from the bottomthereof, are provided.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a bottle assembly isprovided and includes a body portion defining a cavity therein; a toplid assembly selectively connectable to an upper end of the bodyportion, the top lid assembly includes a selectively deployable andretractable spout, a spout bottom lid configured and adapted toselectively engage the upper end of the body portion; and a resilienttube having a first end fluidly connected to a proximal portion of thespout and a second end fluidly connected to an elbow which is fluidlyconnected to a port formed in a bottom surface of the spout bottom lid,the resilient tube having a lumen therethrough, wherein the lumen isoccluded when the spout is retracted and the resilient tube is kinked,and wherein the lumen is opened when the spout is deployed and theresilient tube is not kinked; a trigger assembly operatively associatedwith the top lid assembly for selectively moving the spout between adeployed and a retracted condition; and a bottom lid assemblyselectively connectable to a bottom end of the body portion, the bottomlid assembly including a valve assembly configured and adapted to openand close a fluid path into the cavity of the body portion.

The body portion may include an upper rim configured and adapted toselectively engage a top lid assembly and a bottom rim configured andadapted to selectively engage a bottom lid assembly.

The top lid assembly may be selectively connectable to the upper rim ofthe body portion. The top lid assembly may include a spout bottom lidconfigured and adapted to selectively engage the upper rim of the bodyportion; a spout cover supported on the spout bottom lid, wherein thespout cover defines a window therein; a spout lid operatively connectedto the spout cover for selective closing of the window formed in thespout cover; a cam member positioned between the spout bottom lid andthe spout cover, wherein the cam member defines a pair of spaced apartcam slots formed therein for guiding a spout out of and into the spoutcover; a spout operatively associated with the cam member, wherein thespout includes a pair of guide pins extending therefrom for operativeengagement in the cam slots of the cam member, and wherein the spoutdefines a lumen therethrough; and a straw stand defining a lumentherethrough, wherein the straw stand includes a first end pivotallysupported on the spout bottom lid and a second end pivotally connectedto a second end of the spout.

The spout and the straw stand may have a first position in which thespout is retracted into the spout cover and the lumen of the spout andthe lumen of the straw stand are out of fluid alignment with oneanother, and a second position in which the spout is extended from thespout cover and the lumen of the spout and the lumen of the straw standare in fluid alignment with one another, wherein when the spout andstraw stand are in the second position, the lumen of the straw stand isfluidly aligned with a port formed in the spout bottom lid.

The top lid assembly may also include a lid lock having a tab forselectively locking the spout in either a deployed or retractedposition.

The trigger assembly may be operatively supported associated with thetop lid assembly for actuating the spout between the first and secondpositions. The trigger assembly may include a spout driver having a pairof tines extending from a first end thereof and pivotally connected tothe straw stand and a second end extending out of the top lid assembly.Accordingly, in use, movement of the spout driver in a first directionmay actuate the straw stand to extend the spout from the spout cover,and movement of the spout driver in a second direction may actuate thestraw stand to retract the spout into the spout cover. The triggerassembly may be biased to a position which maintains the spout and strawstand in the first position.

The bottom lid assembly may be selectively connectable to the bottom rimof the body portion. The bottom lid assembly may include a bottom coverdefining a central opening formed therein, wherein the bottom cover isconfigured and adapted to operatively engage the bottom rim of the bodyportion in a fluid tight manner; and a one-way valve assembly supportedin the central opening of the bottom cover.

The one-way valve assembly may include a valve insert positioned withinthe central opening of the bottom cover, wherein the valve insertdefines an annular inner wall bounding an opening therein; anelastomeric valve diaphragm operatively disposed over the valve insert,wherein the valve diaphragm defines an aperture formed therein, whereinthe aperture is located radially outward of the annular inner wall ofthe valve insert; and wherein the valve diaphragm has a first positionwhich is in contact with the annular inner wall of the valve insert anda second position which is spaced a distance from the annular inner wallof the valve insert; and a valve cap operatively connected to an innersurface of the bottom cover and over the central opening, wherein thevalve cap defines at least one aperture formed in an upper surfacethereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosureand, together with a general description of the disclosure given aboveand the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve toexplain the principles of the disclosure, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross sectional view, with parts separated, ofa portion of a bottle and nipple assembly of a charging system, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the portion of thebottle of FIG. 1, illustrating the nipple assembly connected to thebottle;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the nipple assembly of FIGS. 1and 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a valve assembly of thecharging system, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the valve assembly ofFIG. 4 shown in an closed condition;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the valve assembly ofFIGS. 4 and 5, shown in an open condition;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view, illustrating theconnection of the bottle of FIGS. 1 and 2 to the valve assembly of FIGS.4-6, in order to charge or recharge the bottle with a fluid;

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a valve assembly,according to an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure, shown ina closed condition;

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the valve assembly ofFIG. 8, shown in an open condition;

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a charging/rechargingsystem according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,illustrating the filling of a bottle with fluid;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a bottom Tillable bottle assembly inaccordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure,illustrating the bottle assembly in an open condition;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the bottle assembly of FIG. 11, shownin a closed condition;

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the bottle assemblyof FIGS. 11 and 12, as taken through 13-13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a cover assembly ofthe bottle assembly of FIGS. 11-13;

FIG. 15 is a bottom perspective view of the cover assembly of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a top perspective view of a base assembly of the bottleassembly of FIGS. 11-13;

FIG. 17 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the base assembly ofFIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view, with parts separated, of the bottleassembly of FIGS. 11-17;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view, with parts separated, of a faucetassembly, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged perspective view of a charging valve assembly ofthe faucet assembly of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is an enlarged perspective view, with parts separated, of thecharging valve assembly of the faucet assembly of FIG. 19;

FIG. 22 is longitudinal cross-sectional view of the charging valveassembly of FIG. 20, shown in a closed condition;

FIG. 22A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating the fluidengagement of the base assembly of FIGS. 16 and 17 with the chargingvalve assembly of FIGS. 19-22;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view, with parts separated, of a supplyassembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 24 is an enlarged perspective view of a hydraulics assembly of thesupply assembly of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view, with parts separated, of the hydraulicsassembly of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view, with parts separated, of an LED assemblyof the supply assembly of FIG. 23;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view, with parts separated of a tank assemblyof the supply assembly of FIG. 23;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view, with parts separated, of a fan plateassembly of the supply assembly of FIG. 23;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view, with parts separated, of a filterassembly for use with the supply assembly of FIG. 23;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view, with parts separated, of a bottleassembly in accordance with another embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 31 is a side elevational view of the bottle assembly of FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the bottle assemblyof FIGS. 30 and 31, illustrating the top lid assembly thereof in aclosed condition;

FIG. 33 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the top lid assemblyof FIG. 32 in an open condition;

FIG. 34 is an exploded perspective view of the top lid assembly of FIGS.32 and 33;

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of a spout cover of the top lid assemblyof FIGS. 32-34;

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of a spout lid of the top lid assembly ofFIGS. 32-34;

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of a cam member of the top lid assembly ofFIGS. 32-34;

FIG. 38 is a top perspective view of a spout of the top lid assembly ofFIGS. 32-34;

FIG. 39 is a bottom perspective view of the spout of FIG. 38;

FIG. 40 is a top plan view of a straw stand of the top lid assembly ofFIGS. 32-34;

FIG. 41 is a cross-sectional view of the straw stand of FIG. 40, astaken through 41-41 of FIG. 40;

FIG. 42 is a top perspective view of a spout bottom lid of the top lidassembly of FIGS. 32-34;

FIG. 43 is a bottom perspective view of the spout bottom lid of FIG. 42;

FIG. 44 is a perspective view of a spout trigger of the top lid assemblyof FIGS. 32-34;

FIG. 45 is a bottom plan view of a spout driver of the top lid assemblyof FIGS. 32-34;

FIG. 46 is a side, elevational view of the spout driver of FIG. 45;

FIG. 47 is an exploded perspective view of a bottom lid assembly of thebottle assembly of FIGS. 30 and 31;

FIG. 48 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the bottom lid of FIG.47;

FIG. 49 is a perspective view of an alternate bottom lid for use withthe bottle assembly of FIGS. 30 and 31;

FIG. 50 is a perspective view, with parts separated, of a bottleassembly in accordance with yet another embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 51 is a side elevational view of the bottle assembly of FIG. 50;

FIG. 52 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the bottle assemblyof FIGS. 50 and 51, illustrating the top lid assembly thereof in aclosed condition;

FIG. 53 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the top lid assemblyof FIG. 52 in an open condition;

FIG. 54 is an exploded perspective view of the top lid assembly of FIGS.52 and 53;

FIG. 55 is a perspective view of a spout cover of the top lid assemblyof FIGS. 52-54;

FIG. 56 is a perspective view of a spout lid of the top lid assembly ofFIGS. 52-54;

FIG. 57 is a perspective view of a spout of the top lid assembly ofFIGS. 52-54;

FIG. 58 is a perspective view of a snap guide of the top lid assembly ofFIGS. 52-54;

FIG. 59 is a side elevational view of the spout trigger of the top lidassembly of FIGS. 52-54;

FIG. 60 is an exploded perspective view of the bottom lid assembly ofthe bottle assembly of FIGS. 50-52;

FIG. 61 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the bottom lidassembly of FIG. 60;

FIG. 62 is a perspective view, with parts separated, of a charging valveassembly, in accordance with another embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 63 is longitudinal cross-sectional view of the charging valveassembly of FIG. 62, shown in a closed condition;

FIG. 64 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating the fluidengagement of the bottle assembly of FIGS. 50-61 with the charging valveassembly of FIGS. 62 and 63;

FIG. 65 is a perspective view, with parts separated, of a faucetassembly, in accordance with another embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 66 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating the fluidengagement of the faucet assembly of FIG. 65 with the charging valveassembly of FIGS. 62 and 63; and

FIG. 67 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating the use ofthe faucet assembly of FIG. 65 when engaged with the charging valveassembly of FIGS. 62 and 63.

FIG. 68 is a is a perspective view, with parts separated, of a bottleassembly in accordance with yet another embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 69 is a side elevational view of the bottle assembly of FIG. 68;

FIG. 70 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the bottle assemblyof FIGS. 68 and 69, illustrating both the top lid assembly and thebottom lid assembly thereof in a closed condition;

FIG. 71 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the top lid assemblyof FIG. 70 shown in a closed condition;

FIG. 72 is a perspective view of the top lid assembly shown in an opencondition;

FIG. 73 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the top lid assemblyof FIG. 72 shown in an open condition;

FIG. 74 is an exploded perspective view of the top lid assembly of FIGS.71-73;

FIG. 75 is a perspective view of a spout cover of the top lid assemblyof FIGS. 71-74;

FIG. 76 is a perspective view of a spout lid of the top lid assembly ofFIGS. 71-74;

FIG. 77 is a perspective view of a spout of the top lid assembly ofFIGS. 71-74;

FIG. 78 is a perspective view of a snap guide of the top lid assembly ofFIGS. 71-74;

FIG. 79 is a side elevational view of the spout trigger of the top lidassembly of FIGS. 71-74;

FIG. 80 is a perspective view of a locking mechanism of the top lidassembly of FIGS. 71-74;

FIG. 81 is an exploded perspective view of the bottom lid assembly ofthe bottle assembly of FIGS. 68-70;

FIG. 82 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the bottom lidassembly of FIG. 81;

FIG. 83 is a perspective view, with parts separated, of a valveassembly, in accordance with another embodiment of the presentdisclosure of the bottom lid assembly of FIG. 80;

FIG. 84 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating theengagement of the bottle assembly of FIGS. 68-73 with a bottle assemblyof the bottom lid assembly of FIG. 80; and

FIG. 85 is a further longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating thefluid engagement of the bottle assembly of FIGS. 68-73 with the chargingvalve assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the presently disclosed fluid charging or rechargingsystem will now be described in detail with reference to the drawingfigures wherein like reference numerals identify similar or identicalelements. As used herein and as is traditional, the term “distal” refersto that portion which is furthest from the user while the term“proximal” refers to that portion which is closest to the user.

With reference to FIGS. 1-7, a charging or recharging system, inaccordance with the present disclosure, is shown and described. Thecharging system includes a nipple assembly 100, as seen in FIGS. 1-3,and a valve assembly 200, as seen in FIGS. 4-6.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, a detailed discussion of nipple assembly 100is provided. As seen in FIGS. 1-3, nipple assembly 100 is configured forselective attachment or connection to a bottle 10 or the like.Desirably, nipple assembly 100 is connected to and through a bottomsurface 12 of bottle 10, however, it is envisioned and within the scopeof the present disclosure that nipple assembly 100 may be connected toand through a side surface 14 of bottle 10. Nipple assembly 100 isconnected to bottle 10 by connecting structure 108, here shown as athread, which mates with complementary connecting structure 16 aprovided in a port 16 formed in bottom surface 12 of bottle 10. Whileconnecting structures 108 and 16 a are shown as threads, it isenvisioned and within the scope of the present disclosure for theconnecting structure to be any cooperating mating elements, such as, forexample, bayonet-type connecting structure and the like. It is furtherenvisioned that nipple assembly 100 may be fixedly secured to bottle 10,such as, for example, by welding, gluing and the like.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1-3, nipple assembly 100 includes acylindrical body portion 102 defining a lumen 104 therethrough and atleast one, preferably, a plurality of apertures 106 formed therearound.Body portion 102 includes connecting structure 108, desirably providedat a location proximal of apertures 106, for engaging connecting element16 a of port 16. Nipple assembly 100 includes an external flange 110extending from body portion 102 which functions as a stop to preventnipple assembly 100 from passing completely through port 16 and intobottle 10. A gasket or O-ring 112 may be positioned on a distal surface110 a of flange 110. Gasket 112 functions to create a fluid-tight sealbetween flange 110 of nipple assembly 100 and port 16 of bottle 10.

Nipple assembly 100 further includes a stopper 120, in the form of asphere or ball, dimensioned to slidably sit within lumen 104 of bodyportion 102. Body portion 104 includes an internal flange or shoulder114 (see FIG. 7) against which stopper 120 engages or contacts.Accordingly, in use, when stopper 120 is engaged against shoulder 114,lumen 104 of body portion 102 is closed, preventing passage of fluidtherethrough. Additionally, when stopper 120 is spaced a distance fromshoulder 114, lumen 104 of body portion is open, allowing for thepassage of fluid therethrough. Stopper 120 is biased against shoulder114 (i.e., to the closed condition) by a biasing member 116 (e.g., acompression spring or the like). Biasing member 116 is desirablypositioned between stopper 120 and a plug or cap 118 connected to adistal end of body portion 102.

Desirably, a proximal end 102 b of body portion 102 extends beyondexternal flange 112 to define a stem or the like. Stem 102 b includes aseries of undulations 103 formed around a proximal edge thereof. Atleast one gasket or O-ring 107 is provided around stem 102 b in order toform a fluid-tight seal with valve assembly 200, as will be described ingreater detail below.

Desirably, a cap 150 may be provided which snap-fits or friction fitsonto stem 102 b of nipple assembly 100.

Turning now to FIGS. 4-6, a detailed discussion of valve assembly 200 isprovided. As seen in FIGS. 4-6, valve assembly 200 includes a bodyportion 202 defining a through-bore 204 therethrough. Through-bore 204defines an open distal end 206. As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, through-bore204 includes a distal portion 204 a having a first diameter and aproximal portion 204 b having a second diameter, larger than the firstdiameter of distal portion 204 a. A shoulder 204 c is defined betweendistal portion 204 a and proximal portion 204 b of through-bore 204.Open distal end 206 is dimensioned to receive stem 102 b of nippleassembly 100.

Body portion 202 further includes a channel or conduit 208 extendingthrough a side thereof and in fluid communication with through-bore 204.Desirably, a distal end 208 a of channel 208 is in close proximity todistal end 206 of through-bore 204. A proximal end 208 b of channel 208may include connecting structure 209 for connection with a free end of afluid supply line “S” (see FIG. 7).

With continued reference to FIGS. 4-6, valve assembly 200 furtherincludes a plunger 210 slidably disposed in through-bore 204 of bodyportion 202. Plunger 210 desirably includes an annular flange 212 aextending radially outward therefrom which engages shoulder 204 c ofthrough-bore 204 and limits the distance plunger 210 travels in a distaldirection. Desirably, valve assembly 200 includes a stop 214, in theform of a spring clamp or the like, selectively receivable in acomplementary annular groove 216 formed in through-bore 204. Stop 214limits the distance plunger 210 travels in a proximal direction.

Valve assembly 200 further includes a first gasket or O-ring 220 adisposed in an annular groove formed in plunger 210. Desirably, firstgasket 220 a is positioned near a distal end of plunger 210. Valveassembly 200 includes a second gasket or O-ring 220 b disposed in anannular groove formed in through-bore 204. Desirably, second gasket 220b is positioned distally of shoulder 204 c. First and second gaskets 220a, 220 b create a substantially fluid-tight seal between the outersurface of plunger 210 and the inner surface of through-bore 204.

As seen in FIG. 4, valve assembly 200 has a first or closed condition inwhich plunger 210 is positioned over distal end 208 a of channel 208 andblocks or prevents fluid from flowing therefrom. Valve assembly 200 isin the closed condition when first gasket 220 a of plunger 210 ispositioned distally of distal end 208 a of channel 208. Valve assembly200 has a second or open condition in which plunger 210 is positionedproximally of distal end 208 a of channel 208 to expose distal end 208 aof channel 208 and permit fluid to flow from channel 208. Valve assembly200 is in the open condition when first gasket 220 a of plunger 210 ispositioned proximally of distal end 208 a of channel 208.

Desirably, plunger 210 is biased in such a manner so as to maintainvalve assembly 200 in the closed condition. Any number of methods may beused to bias plunger 210 and thereby close valve assembly 200, such as,for example, pneumatic means, electrical means, and mechanical means. Byway of example only, and in no way to be considered limiting, a biasingmember 230, in the form of a compression spring, may be provided betweena distally facing surface of body portion 202 of valve assembly 200 anda proximally facing surface of plunger 210. In particular, as seen inFIGS. 4-6, valve assembly 200 may include a guide member 240 having aplate 242 configured for seating in an annular shoulder 204 d formed ata proximal end of through-bore 204, and a shaft 244 extending from plate242 and into through-bore 204. Plunger 210 desirably includes a bore orrecess 212 b formed therein and extending substantially the entirelength therethrough. Desirably, spring 230 is disposed about shaft 244of guide member 240 and within bore 212 b of plunger 210. Desirably,plate 242 of guide member 240 rests on stop 214.

Turning now to FIG. 7, a method of using the charging assembly of thepresent disclosure is shown and described. As seen in FIG. 7, valveassembly 200 may be mounted to surface or table top “T” by screws 250extending through an annular flange 252 of body portion 202. Desirably,flange 252 of body portion is positioned such that a distal end 202 a ofbody portion 202 extends above the surface of table top “T” and proximalend 208 b of channel 208 is located below the surface of table top “T”.A fluid supply line “S” is connected at a first end to channel 208 andat a second end to a source of fluid 20. Preferably, the source of fluidis under pressure.

Initially, valve assembly 200 is in the closed condition, whereinplunger 210 blocks or occludes channel 208 and prevents fluid “F” frombeing dispensed from valve assembly 200. An empty or substantially emptybottle 10 is then placed on valve assembly 200 such that stem 102 b ofbody portion 102 of nipple assembly 100 is inserted into open distal end206 of body portion 202 of valve assembly. As bottle 10 is placed on thesurface of table top “T”, stem 102 b of nipple assembly 100 presses onplunger 210 of valve assembly 200 and urges or moves plunger 210,against the bias of spring 230, in a proximal direction. Desirably, asseen in FIG. 7, when bottle 10 is fully placed on valve assembly 200(i.e., bottom surface 12 of bottle 10 rests on the top surface of tabletop “T”), stem 102 b of nipple assembly 100 has displaced plunger 210 ofvalve assembly 200 by an amount sufficient to expose distal end 208 a ofchannel 208, thereby opening valve assembly 200.

With plunger 210 depressed and distal end 208 a of channel 208 exposed,fluid “F” flows through fluid supply line “S”, through conduit 208 andinto lumen 104 of body portion 102 of nipple assembly 100. Inparticular, fluid “F” enters lumen 104 through the spaces definedbetween undulations 103 of stem 102 b and the surface of plunger 210 andexits lumen 104 through apertures 106 formed in body portion 102 ofnipple assembly 100. Desirably, gaskets 107 create at least asubstantially fluid-tight seal between the outer surface of stem 102 band the inner surface of through-bore 204.

As fluid “F” enters lumen 104, the force of the flow of fluid “F” movesstopper 120, against the bias of spring 116, in a distal directionthereby opening lumen 104 and allowing fluid “F” to enter and charge orrecharge bottle 10. When the desired amount or volume of fluid “F” hasbeen dispensed into bottle 10, bottle 10 is lifted off of valve assembly200 and table top “T” to close valve assembly 200 and stop the flow offluid “F” therefrom.

In particular, as bottle 10 is lifted off of table top “T” and, moreparticularly, valve assembly 200, stem 102 b of nipple assembly 100 iswithdrawn from through-bore 204 of body portion 202 of valve assembly200. As stem 102 b of nipple assembly 100 is withdrawn, the biasingforce of spring 230, moves plunger 210 in a distal direction. Once firstgasket 220 a of plunger 210 crosses distal end 208 a of channel 208,channel 208 is occluded (i.e., valve assembly 200 is closed) and fluidflow therethrough is stopped. Once the flow of fluid “F” is stopped theforce of the flow of fluid “F”, acting on stopper 120, is stopped andthe biasing force of spring 116 moves stopper 120 into contact withshoulder 114 and closes lumen 104 of nipple assembly 100. With lumen 104of nipple assembly 100 closed, fluid “F” is prevented from leaking orbacking out of bottle 10.

When using the charging system of the present disclosure, bottle 10 mustbe vented. In other words, either an open container (i.e., the top ofbottle 10 must be open or un-capped) or if the container is closed, thecontainer must have an air vent or the like provided near an upper endthereof or the cap of the container must have an opening or be vented.

It is envisioned and within the scope of the present disclosure, thatfluid “F” supplied by source 20 must first pass through a filter 22 orthe like to thereby remove particles, impurities and/or contaminants.

Turning now to FIGS. 8 and 9, a valve assembly, in accordance withanother embodiment of the present disclosure, is generally designated as300. Valve assembly 300 is substantially similar to valve assembly 200and will only be described in detail to the extent necessary to identifydifferences in construction and operation.

As seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, body portion 302 of valve assembly 300includes a plurality of conduits or channels extending through a sidethereof and in fluid communication with through-bore 204 thereof. Forexample, and in no way to be considered as limiting, valve assembly 300includes a first conduit or channel 308 extending through a side of bodyportion 302 and in fluid communication with through-bore 204 thereof,and a second conduit or channel 318 extending through a side of bodyportion 302 and in fluid communication with through-bore 204 thereof.Desirably, first conduit 308 is spaced or offset a radial distance fromsecond conduit 318.

In this manner, at least two separate fluid supply lines, for deliveringtwo different fluids, may be connected to first and second conduits 308,318. In particular, a first fluid supply line “S1” may be connected tofirst conduit 308 and a second fluid supply line “S2” may be connectedto second conduit 318. Accordingly, during use, when valve assembly 300is in an open condition, two fluids come together and mix with oneanother in through-bore 204 of valve assembly 300.

As seen in FIG. 8, valve assembly 300 has a first or closed condition inwhich plunger 210 is positioned over distal ends 308 a, 318 a of firstand second conduits 308, 318, respectively, and blocks or prevents fluidfrom flowing therefrom. In particular, valve assembly 300 is in theclosed condition when first gasket 220 a of plunger 210 is positioneddistally of distal ends 308 a, 318 a of first and second conduits 308,318. Valve assembly 300 has a second or open condition in which plunger210 is positioned proximally of distal ends 308 a, 318 a of first andsecond conduits 308, 318 to expose distal ends 308 a, 318 a of first andsecond conduits 308, 318 and permit a first fluid “F1” and a secondfluid “F2” to flow from respective first and second conduits 308, 318.Valve assembly 300 is in the open condition when first gasket 220 a ofplunger 210 is positioned proximally of distal ends 308 a, 318 a offirst and second conduits 308, 318.

When valve assembly 300 is in the open condition, first and secondfluids “F1, F2” enter through-bore 204, are mixed together, and areforced out open distal end 206 of through-bore 204.

An exemplary use of valve assembly 300 is for the filling of bottle 10with a soft drink or the like. The soft drink is mixed by valve assembly300 wherein first fluid “F1” is carbonated water or seltzer, and secondfluid “F2” is a syrup of a desired soft drink flavoring, for example,cola, root beer and the like. It is further envisioned that valveassembly 300 may be used for the mixing and dispensing of alcoholic ornon-alcoholic mixed drinks, juices, sports drinks, other flavoredbeverages and the like. It is envisioned and within the scope of thepresent disclosure for the fluid to include and not be limited to water,carbonated water, juice, tea, milk, coffee, syrups (e.g., flavoredsyrups), alcohols, and the like.

Turning now to FIG. 10, a charging/recharging system, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure, is generally designated as 1000.Desirably, charging system 1000 includes a plurality of valve assemblies300 mounted beneath a table top “T” or the like. Charging/rechargingsystem 1000 further includes a nipple assembly 100 mounted to a bottomsurface 12 of a bottle 10.

As seen in FIG. 10, each valve assembly 300 is fluidly connected to atleast two sources of fluid. Desirably, each valve assembly 300 isfluidly connected to a discrete or unique source of fluid “A1-A3”, and acommon source of fluid “B”. Valve assemblies 300 are connected tosources of fluid “A1-A3 and B” via fluid supply lines “S”.

In FIG. 10, bottle 10 has been placed onto valve assembly 300 such thatstem 102 b of nipple assembly 100 is inserted into open distal end 206(see FIG. 9) of valve assembly 300, as described in greater detailabove. With stem 102 b of nipple assembly 100 fluidly connected to valveassembly 300, a first fluid “F1”, from common fluid source “B”, iscommunicated to through-bore 204 (see FIG. 9) of valve assembly 300, anda second fluid “F2”, from third fluid source “A3”, is also communicatedto through-bore 204. The combined or mixed fluid “F1 and F2” are thendispensed into bottle 10 in a manner as described above.

By way of example only, unique sources of fluid “A1-A3” may includesyrups of differing flavors, such as, for example, cola, root beer,lemon-lime, orange, grape, cream, vanilla, cherry and the like.Meanwhile, common source of fluid “B” may include carbonated water,seltzer and the like. In this manner, bottle 10 may be filled with adesired soft drink by placing bottle 10 on the valve assembly associatedwith the desired soft drink flavor. It is further envisioned that bottle10 may be filled with different combinations of soft drinks (e.g.,cherry and vanilla, orange and vanilla, and the like).

In one embodiment, as seen in FIG. 10, charging/recharging system 1000may include heat exchanging elements “C” (e.g., coolers or heaters)provided in each fluid supply line “S” to effect and/or alter thetemperature of the fluid traveling therethrough. It is also envisionedthat each source of fluid “A1-A3 and B” may be maintained in a climatecontrolled environment (e.g., a cooler or the like). In either manner,the fluid being dispensed by valve assembly 300 may be chilled prior todispensing into bottles 10.

Optionally, the charging/recharging system 1000 may include a flavormixing station (not shown), where a flavor component adding apparatus orunit, such as a flavor injection conduit adds a selected flavorcomponent to the base fluid A1-A3. In one embodiment, a multi-headconduit may be used in order for the flavor conduit to retainflexibility during the operation for changing flavors, as needed.

Furthermore, in another embodiment more than one particular flavoredbeverage at a time, more than one conduit may be used with each flavorinjection device distributing a different flavor. Additionally, otheringredients, for example acidulants or other heat sensitive ingredientsused in producing, for example, isotonic flavored beverages, may be usedby injecting them from supplies by additional conduits. The injection ispreferably done under pressure to ensure more complete mixing of theflavor and additives with the beverage base fluid. However, othermethods of injecting the flavor or additives are also possible, forexample, by utilizing a Venturi injector. The flavor may be pumpedthrough a narrow tube protruding to the center of the transferring basebeverage fluid. The tube may positioned at a right angle for easy accessand maintenance. If the feed rate of the flavor or other additivesinjected into the unflavored base beverage fluid is at a high enoughlevel, enough turbulence or eddy currents may be generated at and afterthe injection point so that no additional mixing is required, however adispersion mechanism may also be utilized.

The flavor component may include a flavoring compound, syrup orcomposition and also may include a color or other desired additivematerial such as proteins, vitamins, micronutrients, herbs,antioxidants, and the like. The flavor components may be retained insterile containers or tanks prior to injection into the conduits toavoid deterioration if heated to pasteurizing temperatures.

Although the invention is described in the preferred form as havingliquid flavor or micronutrient additives injected into the base beveragefluid stream, other modifications are possible. For example, injectingthe flavor in solid form is contemplated by the invention. This may beperformed by using an air lock mechanism and utilizing theflavor/micronutrient in tablets, or by injecting a flavoring by metereddoses as a powder directly into the fluid stream of the base beveragefluid as it flows through the conduit. In another aspect, the flavor maybe automatically or selectively added to the base beverage fluid.

Turning now to FIGS. 11-28, a fluid dispensing system and method isshown and described for charging and/or re-charging bottles and thelike. According to the present disclosure, there is provided a fluiddispensing system including a bottle assembly 500; a charging valveassembly 600 configured for selective operative fluid engagement withbottle assembly 500; and a supply assembly 700 fluidly connected tocharging valve assembly 600 for supplying fluid to bottle assembly 500.Generally, during use, the fluid dispensing system will provide fluid(e.g., chilled, heated, filtered or the like) from supply assembly 700,through charging valve assembly 600, to bottle assembly 500 and thelike. The fluid dispensing system provides a fast, convenient manner bywhich to fill bottles and the like with desired fluids.

Referring to FIGS. 11-18, a bottle assembly, Tillable from the top orthe bottom, in accordance with the present disclosure, is generallyshown as 500. As will be described in greater detail below, bottleassembly 500 includes a removable check valve in a bottom thereof forinterfacing with charging valve assembly 600, and a self-retractingdrinking spout which opens and extends upward when a lever is actuated.Desirably, when the lever is released the drinking spout will fullyretract into the cover.

As seen in FIGS. 11-18, bottle assembly 500 includes a vessel or bodyportion 502 defining a cavity 502 a for receiving fluid therein. Bottleassembly 500 includes a cover assembly 510 removably securable to anupper end thereof via a threaded engagement.

Cover assembly 510 includes a lid member 512 configured and adapted toremovably, selectively engage and cooperate with an upper rim 504 a ofbody portion 502 of bottle assembly 500. Cover assembly 510 furtherincludes a spout cover 514 operatively secured to lid member 512. Spoutcover 514 includes an opening or window 514 a through which a spout willproject and/or extend.

Cover assembly 510 further includes a spout trigger or lever 516operatively supported on lid member 512. Trigger 516 includes a slidearm 518 slidably supported in lid member 512 and a resilient leg 520extending at an angle from slide arm 518 and configured and dimensionedto contact an outer surface of body portion 502 when cover assembly 510is attached to body portion 502. As will be described in greater detailbelow, trigger 516 has a first or closed position (see FIG. 11), inwhich, a spout 524 is maintained in spout cover 514, and a second oropened position, in which, spout 524 projects or extends from an opening514 a in spout cover 514. In particular, when trigger 516 is in thefirst or closed position, as seen in FIG. 11, in order to deploy spout524, trigger 516 is moved in the direction of arrow “D” (i.e., slide arm518 is moved toward body portion 502) thereby biasing resilient leg 520against body portion 502. When use of bottle assembly 500 is complete,in order to retract spout 524, trigger 516 is released and the bias ofresilient leg 520 moves slide arm 518 in a direction opposite to arrow“D”, thus retracting spout 524 into spout cover 514.

As seen in FIG. 18, a trigger spring 526 may be provided to bias slidearm 518 to the first position. Accordingly, as trigger 516 ismanipulated from the first position to the second position, triggerspring 526 is compressed and/or biased. As such, upon release of trigger516, trigger spring 526 un-compresses or un-biases (i.e., extends) toreturn trigger 516 to the first position.

As seen in FIGS. 13, 14 and 18, cover assembly 510 includes a strawstand 522 pivotally connected to lid member 512, and a spout 524pivotally connected to an end of straw stand 522. Straw stand 522defines a lumen 522 a extending therethrough. As seen in FIG. 18, strawstand 522 includes engaging members 522 b extending therefrom forpivotal engagement with fingers 518 a extending from slide arm 518 oftrigger 516. In this manner, as trigger 516 is manipulated from thefirst position to the second position, straw stand 522 is moved from afirst position (see FIG. 13) in which lumen 522 a thereof is out offluid engagement with a port 512 a formed in lid member 512, to a secondposition (see FIGS. 14 and 15) in which lumen 522 a thereof is in fluidengagement with port 512 a of lid member 512.

Additionally, as trigger 516 is manipulated from the first position tothe second position, lumen 522 a of straw stand 522 is moved from afirst position (see FIG. 13) in which lumen 522 a thereof is out offluid engagement with a lumen 524 a of spout 524, to a second position(see FIG. 14) in which lumen 522 a thereof is in fluid engagement withlumen 524 a of spout 524. In this manner, when in the second position,fluid may be dispensed from cavity 502 a of body portion, out of spout524 through straw stand 522.

As seen in FIG. 18, a link 528 may be provided to help maintain strawstand 522 operatively connected to spout 524. A spout lid 530 may bepivotally connected to spout cover 514 and may be configured anddimensioned to close opening 514 a of spout cover 514 when trigger 516is in the first or closed position. An umbrella valve 532 may beoperatively supported on lid member 512 for providing venting to cavity502 a of body portion 502 during charging and/or recharging of the same.

Bottle assembly 500 includes a base assembly 540 selectively connectablewith a bottom rim 504 b of body portion 504. As seen in FIGS. 13 and16-18, base assembly 540 includes a bottom cover 542 defining an annularchannel 542 a configured and adapted to removably snap-fit engage bottomrim 504 b in a fluid tight manner. Bottom cover 542 defines a centralopening 542 b formed therein.

Base assembly 540 further includes a one-way valve assembly 544operatively connected to bottom cover 542 and disposed over centralopening 542 b. As will be described in greater detail below, one-wayvalve assembly 544 enables passage of fluid into cavity 502 a of bodyportion 502 and not out of cavity 502 a of body portion 502. Inparticular, one-way valve assembly 544 includes a valve insert 546 whichis disposed over central opening 542 b of bottom cover 542 and whichincludes an opening 546 a therethrough defined by an inner annular wall546 b. Desirably, valve insert 546 is disposed within an annular rim 542c extending from bottom cover 542 and surrounding central opening 542 bthereof.

One-way valve assembly 544 further includes a valve diaphragm 548operatively disposed over valve insert 546. Valve diaphragm 548 includesan annular wall 548 a and a membrane 548 b extending across annular wall548 a. Membrane 548 b of valve diaphragm 548 includes at least oneaperture or window 548 c formed therein. Valve diaphragm 548 is formedfrom an elastomeric material. Accordingly, when valve diaphragm 548 isproperly secured in position, membrane 548 b extends across an innerannular wall 546 b of valve insert 546. Desirably, each aperture 548 cof membrane 548 b is disposed radially outward of annular wall 546 b ofvalve insert 546. When membrane 548 b is in contact with annular wall546 b of valve insert 546, a fluid tight seal is created therebetween.In order to break the fluid tight seal, membrane 548 b must be separatedfrom annular wall 546 b of valve insert 546.

One-way valve assembly 544 further includes a valve cap 550 configuredand adapted to selectively engage annular rim 542 c of bottom cover 542.Valve cap 550 includes a top wall 550 a defining at least one apertureor window 550 b therein. Valve cap 550 is configured and dimensionedsuch that top wall 550 a thereof is spaced a distance from annular wall546 b of valve insert 546.

In use, when a filling nipple configured to deliver fluid is introducedinto central opening 542 b of bottom cover 542 and through opening 546 aof valve insert 546, a fluid tight seal is formed around an outersurface of the nipple by a seal 548 d. Seal 548 d is desirably anintegral extension of annular wall 548 a of valve diaphragm 548. Apressure of the fluid “F” to be delivered to cavity 502 a of bodyportion, which is greater than a predetermined pressure (e.g. greaterthan about 10 psi or 68.95 pascal), causes membrane 548 b to separatefrom annular wall 546 b of valve insert 546 and permits fluid to flowbetween membrane 548 b and annular wall 546 b, through apertures 548 c,and out through apertures 550 b of valve cap 550 into cavity 502 a ofbody portion 502. Once the pressure of the fluid is reduced below apredetermined level, membrane 548 b re-engages or returns into contactwith annular wall 546 b of valve insert 546 to once again create thefluid tight seal therebetween and prevent leakage of fluid from cavity502 a of body portion 502 back through one-way valve assembly 540.

Alternatively, it is envisioned that a tip of the filling nipple maypress into membrane 548 b which in turn causes membrane 548 b toseparate from annular wall 546 b of valve insert 546.

Turning now to FIGS. 19-22, a charging valve assembly, for use with andfor filling or re-filling bottle assembly 500, is generally shown as600. Charging valve assembly 600 includes a bung or fitting 602including a stem 602 a for connection to a fluid supply line anddefining a fluid passage 602 b therethrough.

Charging valve assembly 600 further includes a dispenser manifold 604including a base wall 606 defining a central opening 606 a and anannular rim 606 b extending from a bottom of base wall 606 and aroundcentral opening 606 a. Annular rim 606 b is configured and dimensionedto fluidly connect with fitting 602 and to establish fluid communicationbetween fluid passage 602 b of fitting 602 and central opening 606 a ofdispenser manifold 604. Dispenser manifold 604 includes an annular outerwall 608 extending upwardly from base wall 606 and thus defines a recess608 a therein. Dispenser manifold 604 further includes a nipple 610extending upwardly from base wall 606 and in fluid communication withcentral opening 606 a of base wall 606. Nipple 610 defines a fluidpassage or lumen 610 a extending therethrough and an aperture 610 bformed in an upper surface thereof.

Charging valve assembly 600 further includes a plunger 612 slidablysupported within lumen 610 a of nipple 610, central opening 606 a ofdispenser manifold 604, and fluid passage 602 b of fitting 602. Plunger612 includes at least one arm 612 a extending radially outwardly fromnipple 610 and into recess 608 a of dispenser manifold 604. Plunger 612further includes a plug 612 b configured and dimensioned to mate withand/or selectively occlude opening 610 b of nipple 610. Plunger 612defines a lumen or passage 614 therethrough and terminating in an upperannular passage 614 a. Annular passage 614 a is disposed radiallyoutward of plug 612 b.

Desirably, a plurality of seals or O-rings is disposed about plunger612. In particular, a first seal 616 a is disposed about plug 612 b tocreate a fluid tight seal between opening 610 a in nipple 610 and plug612 b of plunger 612, a second seal 616 b is disposed about plunger 612,above arms 612 a, to create a fluid tight seal between an outer surfaceof plunger 612 and an inner surface of nipple 610 within lumen 610 a,and a third seal 616 c is disposed about plunger 612, below arms 612 a,to create a fluid tight seal between an outer surface of plunger 612 andin inner surface of fitting 602 within lumen 602 b.

A spring member 618 may be provided to bias plunger 612 to an occludedposition against nipple 610. In particular, when in the occludedposition, plug 612 b of plunger 612 occludes opening 610 b of nipple610. In order to open opening 610 b of nipple 610 arms 612 a of plunger612 are depressed in the direction of arrow “E”, biasing spring member618 and separating plug 612 b from opening 610 b, thus allowing fluid toflow through lumen 602 b of fitting 602, through lumen 614 of plunger612 and out through opening 610 a of nipple 610.

Charging valve assembly 600 includes a plunger cap 620 configured anddimensioned for receipt in recess 608 a of dispenser manifold 604 andfor engagement with arms 612 a of plunger 612. Plunger cap 620 includesa central opening 620 a configured and dimensioned to receive nipple 610therein. Plunger cap 620 may include a spring member 622 for springbiasing to a raised condition.

Charging valve assembly 600 includes a nut 624 and a washer 626 forsecuring dispenser manifold 604, from beneath, to a surface (e.g., acounter or the like), in a fluid tight arrangement. A gasket 628 may beprovided for placement between bottom wall 606 of dispenser manifold 604and an upper surface of the counter.

Desirably, charging valve assembly 600 has a low profile.

As seen in FIG. 22A, use of charging valve assembly 600 with bottleassembly 500, entails placement of base assembly 540 of bottle assembly500 onto charging valve assembly 600 such that central opening 542 b ofbase assembly 540 is aligned with nipple 610 of charging valve assembly600. Bottle assembly 500 is then pressed down onto charging valveassembly 600 such that bottle assembly 500 presses down on plunger cap620, which in turn presses down on plunger 612, while concomitantlytherewith, nipple 610 enters central opening 542 b of bottom cover 542and plug 612 b of plunger 612 is spaced from opening 610 b of nipple610. With bottle assembly 500 so positioned on charging valve assembly600 a fluid tight seal is created between seal 548 d and an outersurface of nipple 610. As mentioned above, the force of the fluid “F”being delivered by charging valve 600 results in membrane 548 bseparating from annular wall 546 b of valve insert 546. As sopositioned, a fluid flow channel for fluid “F” is created throughfitting 602, through plunger 612, through nipple 610, through one-wayvalve assembly 540 (i.e., through valve insert 546, through apertures548 c of membrane 548 b and through apertures 550 b of valve cap 550) ofbottle assembly 500.

Desirably, the fluid is under pressure so as to force the fluid intocavity 502 a of body portion 502. Once the desired amount of fluid isintroduced into cavity 502 a of bottle 500 or cavity 502 a of bottle 500is filled, bottle assembly 500 is lifted off of charging valve assembly600. Accordingly, plug 612 b is re-inserted into opening 610 b of nipple610 and the flow of fluid “F” is cut-off thereby allowing for membrane548 b to return into contact with annular wall 546 b of valve insert 546and prevent the escape of leakage of fluid “F” from within cavity 502 aof bottle 500. The process may be repeated as many times as necessary tocharge and re-charge bottle assemblies 500.

In order to fill other vessels other than bottle assemblies 500,charging valve assembly 600 may include a faucet tube 630 removablyconnectable to dispenser manifold 604 and nipple 610. Faucet tube 630may be connected to dispenser manifold 604 through a faucet tube base632, a duckbill valve 634, and a series of O-rings 636. A faucet bumper638 may be provided for the tip of faucet tube 630.

It is envisioned and within the present disclosure that any vessel forcontaining fluid may be adapted for bottom filling (e.g., include aone-way valve assembly operatively provided in a bottom surfacethereof). For example, it is envisioned that bottles, faucet taps, jugs,mugs, cups, thermoses, vases, tubs, bowls, pots, planters, and the likemay be provided with a one-way valve assembly for filling from thebottoms thereof.

Turning now to FIGS. 23-29, a supply assembly for providing fluid andthe like to charging valve assembly 600 is shown generally as 700.Supply assembly 700 includes a housing 702 having a first and secondhalf-portion 702 a, 702 b, respectively. A series of spreaders 704 andscrews 706 are used to secure the housing half-portions 702 a, 702 b toone another. A mounting bracket 708 may be provided for supportinghousing 702 and anchoring housing 702 to a wall or the like.

Supply assembly 700 includes a hydraulic assembly 710 supported withinhousing 702 for pressurizing the fluid to be delivered to charging valveassembly 600. An LED display 712 may be provided which is supported inhousing 702 and which provided individuals with information regardingthe status of supply assembly 700, such as, for example, status offilters, fluid temperature, etc.

Supply assembly 700 includes a tank assembly 714 supported in housing702 which stores and or retains a quantity of pre-conditioned fluid. Inother words, tank assembly 714 contains fluid which has already beencooled and filtered and which is ready for dispensing. Tank assembly 714is fluidly connectably with hydraulic assembly 710. A fan plate assembly716 may be provided and may be in operative engagement with tankassembly 714 in order to help maintain the fluid contained within tankassembly 714, cool.

Supply assembly 700 may include a removable filter assembly 720 which isconfigured and dimensioned for operative connection with housing 702 andfor fluid engagement with hydraulic assembly 710.

As seen in FIGS. 24 and 25, hydraulic assembly 710 includes, inter alia,a support body 722, a solenoid shut-off 724 operatively connectable witha fitting 722 a of support body 722. A pressure regulator 726 isconnected to solenoid shut-off 724 and a supply line 728 is connected topressure regulator 726. Support body 722 includes additional fittings722 b, 722 c for supplying fluid to filter assembly 720 and forreturning fluid from filter assembly 720. Supply assembly 700 mayinclude a solenoid filter 730 in fluid engagement with solenoid shut-off724.

As seen in FIG. 26, LED display 712 includes a lite pipe 712 a, and aplurality of LEDS 712 b operatively associated with lite pipe 712 a andsupported on a printed circuit board (PCB) 712 c. A cable ribbon 712 dconnects PCB 712 b to a controller or the like (not shown). PCB 712 bmonitors and keeps track of the number of uses of supply assembly 700and/or the life of filter assembly 720, and then transmits thatinformation to LED display 712 in order to indicate to the user when achange of the filters of filter assembly 720 may be warranted.

As seen in FIG. 27, tank assembly 714 includes an insulated housing 740including an insulated top 740 a. Tank assembly 714 includes a reservoir742 defining a volume for retaining fluid therein. Reservoir 742 isdivided into a first chamber 742 a and a second chamber 742 b by ascreen or filter 744. First heat sinks 746 may be provided whichextending in to chambers 742 a, 742 b of reservoir 742 and help to coolfluid contained therein. Second heat sinks 748, operatively connected tofirst heat sinks 746 through peltiers 750, are provided to dissipate theheat with the air. As seen in FIG. 28, a fan plate assembly 716 may beprovided which is in operative engagement with second heat sinks 748 forenhancing the cooling thereof.

In use, hydraulic assembly 710 forces fluid through reservoir 742 forcooling and initial filtering.

As seen in FIG. 29, filter assembly 720 includes a housing 760configured and adapted to removably retain a sediment filter 762 and acarbon-block filter 764 therein. In use, fluid is pumped from hydraulicassembly 710 through reservoir 742 and through filter assembly 720, inany order desired, prior to transmission to charging valve assembly 600.

It is envisioned that supply assembly 700 may be provided with anautomatic filter replacement mechanism or the like. In use, when it istime to replace either of sediment filter 762, carbon-block filter 764or any other filter, an indicator signal alerts the user that such achange is necessary. The user then presses a first button or switch(e.g., a change filter button/switch) which automaticallyactivates/manipulates the water supply valve to turn off the watersupply, and which automatically activates/manipulates a releasemechanism which automatically disconnects the filter from the watersupply or the like (i.e., rotates the filter to unlock the filter). Theuser then exchanges the used filter with a new filter. Once the newfilter is in position, the user presses a second button/switch whichautomatically activates/manipulates the release mechanism to therebylock the new filter into fluid communication with the water supply, toopen the water supply valve, and to reset the counter.

Turning now to FIGS. 30-49, a bottle assembly according to anotherembodiment of the present disclosure is generally designated as 1000. Asseen in FIG. 30, bottle assembly 1000 includes a body portion 1010, atop lid assembly 1100 configured and adapted for selective connection toan upper rim or edge of body portion 1010; and a bottom lid assembly1200 configured and adapted for selective connection to a lower rim oredge of body portion 1010.

As seen in FIG. 30, body portion 1010 defines a cavity 1012 forreceiving, retaining and/or storing a fluid therein. Body portion 1010is ergonomically formed to accommodate a hand of a user during use andmanipulation of bottle assembly 1000. Body portion 1010 includes anupper rim 1014 a configured and adapted to operatively engage top lidassembly 1100; and a bottom rim 1014 b configured and adapted tooperatively engage bottom lid assembly 1200. It is envisioned that eachof upper rim 1014 a and bottom rim 1014 b may include a thread forengaging a complementary thread provided on or in top lid assembly 1100and bottom lid assembly 1200, respectively. It is further envisionedthat each of upper rim 1014 a and bottom rim 1014 b and each of top lidassembly 1100 and bottom lid assembly 1200, may include anycomplementary engaging structure, such as, for example, bayonet-typestructure, screw threads and the like.

With particular reference to FIGS. 30-46, a detailed description of toplid assembly 1100 will now be provided. Top lid assembly 1100 includes aspout cover 1110 supported on or snap-fit engaged to a spout bottom lid1112, which spout bottom lid 1112 is configured and adapted tooperatively engage upper rim 1014 a of body portion 1010. As best seenin FIGS. 34 and 35, spout cover 1110 defines a window 1114 formedtherein, through which a spout is selectively deployable, as will bedescribed in greater detail below.

Top lid assembly 1100 includes a spout lid 1116 operatively associatedwith spout cover 1110 to selectively close and open window 1114 formedtherein and allow for the spout to extend or be deployed therefrom.Spout lid 1116 includes a pair of pivot bosses 1118 extending outwardlyfrom a support arm 1120 extending from a bottom surface of flap 1122.Spout lid 1116 is pivotable from a first condition, as seen in FIG. 32,in which flap 1122 of spout lid 1116 closes window 1114 of spout cover1110 to a second condition, as seen in FIG. 33, in which flap 1122 ofspout lid 1116 opens window 1114 of spout cover 1110 to enable a spoutto extend therefrom.

It is envisioned that top lid assembly 1100 may include structure or thelike for maintaining spout lid 1116 in the first or closed condition orfor automatically returning spout lid 1116 to the closed conditionfollowing opening thereof. For example, top lid assembly 1100 mayinclude a biasing member 1124 for accomplishing such an automaticclosing function. In particular, as seen in FIG. 34, top lid assembly1100 may include a torsion spring 1124 which is supported on one ofpivot bosses 1118 and which includes a first arm thereof for engaging aledge 1126 provided on spout lid 1116 and a second arm thereof forengaging structure of top lid assembly 1100 other than spout lid 1116.In this manner, in operation, torsion spring 1124 will tend to maintainspout lid 1116 in the closed condition as described above.

With reference to FIGS. 32-34 and 37, top lid assembly 1100 includes acam member 1130 operatively supported between spout cover 1110 and spoutbottom lid 1112. As seen in FIGS. 34 and 37, cam member 1130 includes apair of spaced apart, elongate, linear slots 1132 formed therein forslidably and pivotably receiving pivot bosses 1118 of spout lid 1116.Cam member 1130 further defines a pair of spaced apart cam slots 1134formed therein for guiding and facilitating deployment and retraction ofthe spout out of and into spout cover 1110.

With reference to FIGS. 32-34 and 38-41, top lid assembly 1100 furtherincludes a spout 1140 supported in cam member 1130. Spout 1140 defines alumen 1142 extending therethrough and at least one guide pin 1144extending outwardly therefrom. Desirably, a pair of guide pins 1144 areprovided which slidably engage cam slots 1134 of cam member 1130. Spout1140 is ergonomically shaped so as to be better received between thelips of a user. In particular, spout 1140 has a generally conical orfrusto-conical outer profile which expands in a distal direction. It isfurther envisioned that lumen 1142 may have a generally ovular orelliptical inner profile or the like.

With continued reference to FIGS. 32-34 and 38-41, top lid assembly 1100further includes a straw stand 1150 pivotably supported between spoutbottom lid 1112 and cam member 1130. Straw stand 1150 includes a centralbody portion 1152, a first lobe 1154 a integrally formed at a first end1152 a of central body portion 1152, a second lobe 1154 b integrallyformed at a second end 1152 b of central body portion 1152, and a lumen1156 extending entirely therethrough. First lobe 1154 a of straw stand1150 includes a pair of pivot bosses 1158 a formed on either sidethereof for engaging pivot openings 1148 a formed in lobe 1148 of spout1140. Second lobe 1154 b of straw stand 1150 is slidably seating withina complementary arcuate recess 1168 formed in a top surface of spoutbottom lid 1112. Second lobe 1154 b of straw stand 1150 may include apair of pivot bosses 1158 b formed on either side thereof for engagingpivot points defines between cam member 1130 and spout bottom lid 1112.

With reference now to FIGS. 30-46, top lid assembly 1100 furtherincludes a trigger assembly 1170 for actuating or moving spout 1140between an extended condition and a retracted condition. Triggerassembly 1170 includes a spout driver 1172 slidably supported betweenspout cover 1110 and spout bottom lid 1112. Spout driver 1172 includes aproximal end 1172 b extending from spout bottom lid 1112, and a distalend 1172 a defining a pair of tines 1174 configured and adapted toengage straw stand 1150. In particular, each tine 1174 of spout driver1172 includes a bore 1176 formed near a distal end thereof for pivotablyreceiving and/or engaging a pivot pin 1159 extending from central bodyportion 1152 of straw stand 1150.

In use or operation, with spout 1140 in the retracted condition and withspout cover 1110 in the closed condition, as spout driver 1172 is movedin the direction of arrow “A”, as seen in FIGS. 31 and 32 (i.e., intospout cover 1110), straw stand 1150 is caused to be rotated about pivotbosses 1158 b of second lobe 1158 b. In so doing, guide pins 1144 ofspout 1140 are caused to be slidably advanced through cam slots 1134 ofcam member 1130 and spout 1140 pivots about pivot bosses 1158 a of firstlobe 1154 a of straw stand 1150. As such, spout 1140 lifts up spout flap1116 and extends out of spout cover 1110.

When spout 1140 is in the extended condition, as seen in FIG. 33, lumen1142 of spout 1140 is in fluid communication with lumen 1156 of strawstand 1150 which is, in turn, in fluid communication with a port 1166formed in recess 1168 of spout bottom lid 1112. Desirably, a straw 1190(see FIGS. 32 and 34) is connected to port 1166 and extends down throughcavity 1012 of body portion 1010. In this manner, fluid may be withdrawnfrom cavity 1012 of body portion 1010.

In order to retract or withdraw spout 1140 back into spout cover 1110,spout driver 1172 is moved in a direction opposite to arrow “A” thuscausing straw stand to once again be rotated about pivot bosses 1158 bof second lobe 1158 b. In so doing, guide pins 1144 of spout 1140 arecaused to be slidably retracted through cam slots 1134 of cam member1130 and spout 1140 pivots about pivot bosses 1158 a of first lobe 1154a of straw stand 1150. As such, spout 1140 pulls back, withdraws orretracts into spout cover 1110 and spout flap 1116 automatically closes,as described in detail above. With spout 1140 withdrawn into spout cover1110, the fluid communication between lumen 1142 of spout 1140 and port1166 of spout bottom lid 1112 is disrupted and no fluid may pass throughport 1166. In fact, as seen in FIG. 32, second lobe 1154 b of strawstand 1150 function to occlude port 1166 when spout 1140 is in thewithdrawn or retracted condition.

With spout 1140 in the retracted condition, spout 1140 is protected fromexposure to the elements and/or from exposure to the outsideenvironment. In this manner, contamination of spout 1140 is reducedand/or eliminated.

It is contemplated that the retraction or withdrawal of spout 1140 backinto spout cover 1110 may be accomplished automatically upon the releaseof spout driver 1172. For example, a biasing member 1192 (e.g., acompression spring) may be disposed between spout driver 1172 and asurface or shoulder 1112 a of bottom spout lid 1112 or any other elementof top lid assembly 1100.

As seen in FIGS. 30-34, proximal end 1172 b of spout driver 1172operatively supports a spout trigger 1178 via a pin 1179 or the like. Asseen in FIGS. 31-33 and 44, spout trigger 1178 may include a pluralityof spaced apart nubs 1178 a formed along a length thereof which definespaces therebetween for receiving the fingers of a user.

In use, deployment and retraction of spout 1140 out of and/or into spoutcover 1110 is accomplished by single handed operation. In other words,the deployment of spout 1140 from spout cover 1110 is accomplished bysqueezing spout trigger 1178 with a single hand, i.e., moving spouttrigger 1178 toward body portion 1010.

Turning now to FIGS. 34, 42 and 43, spout bottom lid 1112 includes apair of venting regions 1112 b, 1112 c formed therein. Preferably,venting regions 1112 b, 1112 c include pores which extend through thesurface of spout bottom lid 1112. Top lid assembly 1100 further includesa pair of umbrella valves 1113 b and 1113 c operatively associated withventing regions 1112 b, 1112 c, respectively. In particular, a firstumbrella valve 1113 b is positioned on an upper surface of ventingregion 1112 b and a second umbrella valve 1113 c is positioned on abottom surface of venting region 1112 c. In use, umbrella valves 1113 b,1113 c cooperate with one another to provide venting into and out ofcavity 1012 of body portion 1010 during charging, recharging, drainingand/or emptying of bottle assembly 1000.

Turning now to FIGS. 47 and 48, a detailed discussion of bottom lidassembly 1200 is provided. Bottom lid assembly 1200 is substantiallysimilar to base assembly 540 and thus will only be described herein indetail to the extent necessary to identify differences in constructionand operation.

Bottom lid assembly 1200 includes a bottom cover 1242 defining anannular channel 1242 a configured and adapted to threadingly engagebottom rim 1014 b of body portion 1010 in a fluid tight manner. Bottomcover 1242 defines a central opening 1242 b formed therein.

Bottom lid assembly 1200 further includes a one-way valve assembly 1244operatively connected to bottom cover 1242 and disposed over centralopening 1242 b. As will be described in greater detail below, one-wayvalve assembly 1244 enables passage of fluid into cavity 1012 of bodyportion 1010 and not out of cavity 1012 of body portion 1010. Inparticular, one-way valve assembly 1244 includes a valve insert 1246which is disposed over or in central opening 1242 b of bottom cover 1242and which includes an opening 1246 a therethrough defined by an innerannular wall 1246 b. Desirably, valve insert 1246 is disposed within anannular rim 1242 c extending from bottom cover 1242 and surroundingcentral opening 1242 b thereof.

One-way valve assembly 1244 further includes a valve diaphragm 1248operatively disposed over valve insert 1246. Valve diaphragm 1248includes an annular wall 1248 a and a membrane 1248 b extending acrossannular wall 1248 a. Membrane 1248 b of valve diaphragm 1248 includes atleast one aperture or window 1248 c formed therein. Valve diaphragm 1248is formed from an elastomeric material. Accordingly, when valvediaphragm 1248 is properly secured in position, membrane 1248 b extendsacross inner annular wall 1246 b of valve insert 1246. Desirably, eachaperture 1248 c of membrane 1248 b is disposed radially outward of innerannular wall 1246 b of valve insert 1246. When membrane 1248 b is incontact with inner annular wall 1246 b of valve insert 1246, a fluidtight seal is created therebetween. In order to break the fluid tightseal, membrane 1248 b must be separated from inner annular wall 1246 bof valve insert 1246.

One-way valve assembly 1244 further includes a valve cap 1250 configuredand adapted to selectively engage annular rim 1242 c of bottom cover1242. Valve cap 1250 includes a top wall 1250 a defining at least oneaperture or window 1250 b therein. Valve cap 1250 is configured anddimensioned such that top wall 1250 a thereof is spaced a distance fromannular wall 1246 b of valve insert 1246.

In use, when a filling nipple, configured to deliver fluid, isintroduced into central opening 1242 b of bottom cover 1242 and fluid isforced out of the nipple, the fluid pressure acts on membrane 1248 bthus separating membrane 1248 b from annular wall 1246 b of valve insert1246 and permits fluid to flow between membrane 1248 b and annular wall1246 b, through apertures 1248 c, and out through apertures 1250 b ofvalve cap 1250 into cavity 1012 of body portion 1010. Once the tip ofthe filling nipple is withdrawn and the fluid pressure is reduced and/orcut-off, membrane 1248 b re-engages or returns into contact with annularwall 1246 b of valve insert 1246 to once again create the fluid tightseal therebetween and prevent leakage of fluid from cavity 1012 of bodyportion 1010 back through one-way valve assembly 1240.

As seen in FIG. 49, bottle assembly 1000 may include a bottom cover 1342which does not include any apertures or openings formed in a centerthereof.

Turning now to FIGS. 50-62, a bottle assembly according to anotherembodiment of the present disclosure is generally designated as 2000. Asseen in FIG. 50, bottle assembly 2000 includes a body portion 2010, atop lid assembly 2100 configured and adapted for selective connection toan upper rim or edge 2014 a of body portion 2010; and a bottom lidassembly 2200 configured and adapted for selective connection to a lowerrim or edge 2014 b of body portion 2010.

As seen in FIG. 50, body portion 2010 defines a cavity 2012 forreceiving, retaining and/or storing a fluid therein. Body portion 2010is ergonomically formed to accommodate a hand of a user during use andmanipulation of bottle assembly 2000. As mentioned above, body portion2010 includes an upper rim 2014 a configured and adapted to operativelyengage top lid assembly 2100; and a bottom rim 2014 b configured andadapted to operatively engage bottom lid assembly 2200. It is envisionedthat each of upper rim 2014 a and bottom rim 2014 b may include a threadfor engaging a complementary thread provided on or in top lid assembly2100 and bottom lid assembly 2200, respectively. It is furtherenvisioned that each of upper rim 2014 a and bottom rim 2014 b and eachof top lid assembly 2100 and bottom lid assembly 2200, may include anycomplementary engaging structure, such as, for example, bayonet-typestructure, screw threads and the like.

With particular reference to FIGS. 50-59, a detailed description of toplid assembly 2100 will now be provided. Top lid assembly 2100 includes aspout bottom lid 2112 configured and adapted to operatively engage upperrim 2014 a of body portion 2010. As best seen in FIGS. 54 and 55, spoutbottom lid 2112 defines an upper recess 2114 formed therein, in which aspout is retained and from which the spout is selectively deployable, aswill be described in greater detail below.

Top lid assembly 2100 includes a spout lid 2116 operatively associatedwith spout bottom lid 2112 to selectively close and open recess 2114formed therein and allow for the spout to extend or be deployedtherefrom. Spout lid 2116 includes a pair of pivot bosses 2118 extendingoutwardly from a respective support arm 2120 which extend from a flap2123. Spout lid 2116 is pivotable from a first condition, as seen inFIGS. 50-53, in which flap 2123 of spout lid 2116 closes recess 2114 ofspout bottom lid 2112 to a second condition, as seen in FIG. 53, inwhich flap 2123 of spout lid 2116 opens recess 2114 of spout bottom lid2112 to enable a spout to extend therefrom.

It is envisioned that top lid assembly 2100 may include structure or thelike for maintaining spout lid 2116 in the first or closed condition orfor automatically returning spout lid 2116 to the closed conditionfollowing opening thereof. For example, top lid assembly 2100 mayinclude a biasing member 2124 for accomplishing such an automaticclosing function. In particular, as seen in FIG. 54, top lid assembly2100 may include a torsion spring 2124 which is supported on spoutbottom lid 2112 and which includes a first arm thereof for engaging ashoulder or a portion of spout bottom lid 2112 and a second arm thereoffor engaging structure of trigger 2170. In this manner, in operation,torsion spring 2124 will tend to maintain spout lid 2116 in the closedcondition as described above.

With reference to FIGS. 52-54 and 58, top lid assembly 2100 includes aguide member 2130 operatively supported on trigger 2170. As seen inFIGS. 54 and 58, guide member 2130 includes a pair of spaced apart,elongate, linear rails 2132 including external mounting bosses 2132 aextending therefrom for receipt into respective mounting holes 2170 aformed in trigger 2170. Guide member 2130 further includes a distal wall2134 extending between rails 2132 and defining an aperture 2134 atherein. Aperture 2134 a is configured and adapted to permit slidablepassage of a spout 2140 therethrough.

With reference to FIGS. 52-54 and 57, top lid assembly 2100 furtherincludes a spout 2140 operatively supported on guide member 2130. Spout2140 defines a lumen 2142 extending therethrough and a pair of guidebosses 2144 extending outwardly from opposed sides thereof. Guide bosses2144 slidably engage an upper surface of rails 2132 of guide member2130. A distal portion 2146 of spout 2140 is configured and dimensionedto slidably extend through aperture 2134 a of guide member 2130. Spout2140 further includes a pair of opposed pivot apertures 2148 formedtherein for receiving pivot bosses 2122 extending inwardly from arms2120 of spout lid 2116 (see FIG. 56).

In operation, as will be described in greater detail below, as trigger2170 is actuated, spout 2140 is distally advanced along rails 2132 ofguide member 2130 and distal portion 2146 of spout 2140 is deployed orextended out of aperture 2134 of guide member 2130. When trigger 2170 isactuated to distally advance spout 2140, advancement of spout 2140results in spout lid 2116 pivoting about pivot bosses 2118 in order toopen recess 2114 of spout bottom lid 2112. It follows that, when trigger2170 is released, spout 2140 is withdrawn proximally along rails 2132 ofguide member 2130 and distal portion 2146 of spout 2140 is withdrawninto aperture 2134 of guide member 2130. When trigger 2170 is releasedto withdraw spout 2140, withdrawal of spout 2140 results in spout lid2116 pivoting about pivot bosses 2118 in order to close recess 2114 ofspout bottom lid 2112.

With reference now to FIGS. 50-54 and 59, top lid assembly 2100 furtherincludes a trigger 2170 for actuating or moving spout 2140 between anextended condition and a retracted condition. Trigger 2170 is pivotallysupported in recess 2114 of spout bottom lid 2112, about pivot point2174. Trigger 2170 includes a body portion 2172 including a pair ofspaced apart side walls 2172 a. Trigger 2170 includes an arm 2176extending from body portion 2172.

In use or operation, with spout 2140 in the retracted condition and withspout cover 2110 in the closed condition, as arm 2176 of trigger 2170 ismoved in the direction of arrow “A”, as seen in FIG. 52 (i.e., towardbody portion 2010 of bottle assembly 2000), body portion 2172 of trigger2170 is pivoted about pivot point 2174 causing guide member 2130,supported on body portion 2172 of trigger 2170 to also be raised thuscausing spout 2140 to be deployed, as described above. When arm 2176 oftrigger 2170 is released, biasing member 2124 automatically returns bodyportion 2172 of trigger 2170 to an un-pivoted position (i.e., moves arm2176 in a direction opposite to arrow “A”) and causes spout 2140 to bewithdrawn into top lid assembly 2100.

As seen in FIGS. 52-54, top lid assembly 2100 further includes an upperresilient tube 2150 having a first end 2150 a fluidly connected to aproximal portion 2141 of spout 2140 and a second end 2150 b fluidlyconnected to an elbow 2152 which is fluidly connected to a port 2166(see FIG. 55) formed in a bottom surface of spout bottom lid 2112. Inoperation, when spout 2140 is fully retracted, as seen in FIG. 52,resilient tube 2150 is kinked or bent over, thereby occluding a lumen2154 extending therethrough. With the lumen of resilient tube 2150occluded, fluid is prevented from traveling therethrough. Then spout2140 is deployed, as seen in FIG. 53, resilient tube 2150 is partiallyextended thereby opening the kink and opening the lumen extendingthrough resilient tube 2150. With the lumen of resilient tube 2150 atleast partially open, fluid is allowed to flow therethrough.

As seen in FIGS. 50 and 52-54, top lid assembly 2100 further includes astraw 2190 extending from port 2166 into cavity 2012 of body portion2010 of bottle assembly 2000. An end of straw 2190 extends into cavity2012 of body portion 2010 and terminates near a bottom of body portion2010.

As seen in FIGS. 52-55, spout bottom lid 2112 includes a venting region2112 a formed therein. Venting region 2112 a includes pores which extendthrough the surface of spout bottom lid 2112. Top lid assembly 2100further includes an umbrella valve 2113 operatively associated withventing region 2112 a. In particular, umbrella valve 2113 is positionedon an upper surface of venting region 2112 a and provides venting intoand/or out of cavity 2012 of body portion 2010 during charging,recharging, draining and/or emptying of bottle assembly 2000.

Turning now to FIGS. 52, 60 and 61, a detailed discussion of bottom lidassembly 2200 is provided. Bottom lid assembly 2200 is substantiallysimilar to bottom lid assembly 1200 and thus will only be describedherein in detail to the extent necessary to identify differences inconstruction and operation.

Bottom lid assembly 2200 includes a bottom cover 2242 defining anannular channel 2242 a configured and adapted to threadingly engagebottom rim 2014 b of body portion 2010 in a fluid tight manner. Bottomcover 2242 includes a central opening 2242 b defined by an inner annularwall 2242 c. Inner annular wall 2242 c defines at least one aperture2242 d formed in a side wall thereof and a stem 2242 e extending axiallyinto central opening 2242 b from an upper wall 2242 f extending overinner annular wall 2242 c.

Bottom lid assembly 2200 further includes a valve 2244 operativelyconnected to bottom cover 2242 and disposed over central opening 2242 b.Valve 2244 enables passage of fluid into cavity 2012 of body portion2010 and not out of cavity 2012 of body portion 2010. Valve 2244 may beconstructed from a suitable elastomeric material capable of beingstretched and automatically returning to an un-stretched condition.Valve 2244 includes a central hub 2244 a connected to an annular rim2244 b via webs 2244 c thereby defining apertures or windows 2244 d.

Turning now to FIGS. 62 and 63, a charging valve assembly according toanother embodiment of the present disclosure, for use with and forfilling or re-filling bottle assembly 2000, is generally shown as 2600.Charging valve assembly 2600 includes a bung or fitting 2602 including astem 2602 a for connection to a fluid supply line and defining a fluidpassage 2602 b therethrough. Fitting 2602 further includes or defines abase wall 2602 c.

Charging valve assembly 2600 further includes an outlet stem 2604connected to fitting 2602 in manner so as to fluidly connect a lumen orcentral opening 2604 a thereof with fluid passage 2602 b of fitting2602. Stem 2604 defines a pair of upper annular channels 2604 b, 2604 cformed therein for receiving respective gaskets or O-rings 2605 b, 2605c. Stem 2604 further defines an annular channel 2604 d disposed betweenthe pair of annular channels 2604 b and 2604 c and which is in fluidcommunication with central opening 2604 a of outlet stem 2604.

Charging valve assembly 2600 further includes a center plunger 2612slidably disposed within central opening 2604 a of outlet stem 2604.Center plunger 2612 defines an upper annular channel 2612 a configuredto receive and support a gasket or O-ring 2605 d and a lower annularchannel 2612 b configured to receive and support a gasket or O-ring 2605a. Center plunger 2612 includes a plurality of ribs 2612 c extendingalong a length thereof around the periphery thereof.

Charging valve assembly 2600 further includes a biasing member 2608disposed within central opening 2604 a of outlet stem 2604 and supportedon a ledge formed in fluid passage 2602 a of fitting 2602. Biasingmember 2608 functions to maintain center plunger 2612 in an upperposition relative to outlet stem 2604 such that gasket 2605 a is seatedagainst a ledge (e.g., an annular ledge) defined in central opening 2604a of outlet stem 2604, thereby occluding or closing fluid passage 2602 bof fitting 2602.

Charging valve assembly 2600 includes a flange 2618 supported on fitting2602 and a plunger cap 2620 configured and dimensioned to overlie base2602 c of fitting 2602 and to be retained by flange 2618. Plunger cap2620 includes a central opening 2620 a configured and dimensioned toreceive an end of outlet stem 2604 therein. A spring or biasing member2622 may be disposed between base 2602 c of fitting 2602 and plunger cap2620 for maintaining plunger cap 2620 in a raised condition.

Charging valve assembly 2600 may further include a nut 2624 and a washer2626 for securing fitting 2602, from beneath, to a surface (e.g., acounter or the like), in a fluid tight arrangement. A gasket 2628 may beprovided for placement between base wall 2602 c of fitting 2602 and anupper surface of the counter. Charging valve assembly 2600 may furtherinclude a push connect fitting 2614 connected to a lower end of fitting2602 for enabling fluid connection of fitting 2602 to a fluid source.

As seen in FIG. 64, use of charging valve assembly 2600 with bottleassembly 2000, entails placement of bottom lid assembly 2200 of bottleassembly 2000 onto charging valve assembly 2600 such that centralopening 2242 b of bottom lid assembly 2200 is aligned with centralopening 2620 a of plunger cap 2620. Bottle assembly 2000 is then presseddown onto charging valve assembly 2600 such that bottle assembly 2000presses down on plunger cap 2620, which in turn allows for an end ofoutlet stem 2604 to be exposed from plunger cap 2620 and to extend intocentral opening 2242 b of bottom lid assembly 2200.

When bottle assembly 2000 is fully placed on charging valve assembly2600, as seen in FIG. 64, plunger cap 2620 is fully depressed therebycompressing biasing member 2622. Also, the end of outlet stem 2604,exposed from plunger cap 2620, is aligned with stem 2242 e extendingfrom the upper wall 2242 f overlying inner annular wall 2242 c of bottomcover 2242. Additionally, annular channel 2604 d of stem 2604 is alignedwith the at least one aperture 2242 d formed in a side wall of innerannular wall 2242 c of bottom cover 2242.

As such, when bottle assembly 2000 is fully placed on charging valveassembly 2600, stem 2242 e of bottom cover 2242 presses down on centerplunger 2612 thus spacing or unseating gasket 2605 a from the ledgedefined in central opening 2604 a of outlet stem 2604 and compressingbiasing member 2608. With gasket 2605 a unseated, a fluid channel orpassage is opened through which fluid, as indicated by arrow “F”, isdelivered to bottle assembly 2000. In operation, as mentioned above, theforce of the fluid being delivered results in hub 2244 a of valve 2244separating from inner annular wall 2242 c of bottom cover 2242. As sopositioned, a fluid flow channel for fluid “F” is created through lumen2602 b of fitting 2602, through central opening 2604 a of outlet stem2604 along ribs 2612 c of center plunger 2612, through annular channel2604 d of stem 2604, through the at least one aperture 2242 d formed ina side wall of inner annular wall 2242 c of bottom cover 2242, throughwindows 2244 d of valve 2244 and into bottle assembly 2000.

When bottle assembly 2000 is fully positioned on charging valve assembly2600 a fluid tight seal is created between gaskets 2605 b and 2605 c ofstem 2604 and an inner surface of from inner annular wall 2244 c ofbottom cover 2242, wherein an upper gasket 2605 b is disposed above theat least one aperture 2242 d formed in a side wall of inner annular wall2242 c of bottom cover 2242 and a lower gasket 2605 c is disposed belowthe at least one aperture 2242 d formed in a side wall of inner annularwall 2242 c of bottom cover 2242.

When bottle assembly 2000 is charged or recharged to a full or desiredamount of fluid, bottle assembly 2000 is lifted-off, removed ordisconnected from charging valve assembly 2600. In so doing, valve 2244is closed or reseated due to the resiliency thereof and charging valveassembly 2600 is closed due to biasing member 2608 moving center plunger2612 in order to reseat gasket 2605 a against the ledge defined incentral opening 2604 a of outlet stem 2604.

In order to fill other vessels other than bottle assemblies 2000, asseen in FIGS. 65-67, charging valve assembly 2600 may be configured foruse with a faucet assembly 2700 which is configured and adapted forselective removable connection to charging valve assembly 2600. Faucetassembly 2700 is substantially similar to faucet assembly 630 and thuswill only be discussed in detail herein to the extent necessary toidentify differences in construction and operation.

Faucet assembly 2700 may be connected to fitting 2604 of charging valveassembly 2600 through a faucet tube base 2732, a duckbill valve 2734,and a series of O-rings 2736.

As seen in FIGS. 65-67, faucet assembly 2700 includes a valve 2744operatively supported in an annular recess 2732 a of base 2732. Valve2744 enables passage of fluid into faucet tube 2730. Valve 2744 includesa central hub 2744 a connected to an annular rim 2744 b via webs (notshown) thereby defining apertures or windows 2744 d. Valve 2744 definesan outer annular channel 2744 e formed in an outer surface of annularrim 2744 which is configured to retain a gasket or O-ring 2745 therein.Valve 2744 further includes a pair of pins 2744 f extending from anouter surface of annular rim 2744.

Faucet assembly 2700 further includes a lever 2750 extending from base2732. Lever 2750 defines a pair of cam slots 2750 a configured toslidably engage respective pins 2744 f of valve 2744. Faucet assembly2700 may further include a lever retainer 2752 configured and adaptedfor returning lever 2750 to an un-actuated position upon the removal ofan actuating force thereto, thereby closing off any fluid flow.

In use, as seen in FIGS. 66 and 67, as lever 2750 is moved in thedirection of arrow “A” (e.g., downward), valve 2744 is caused to bemoved downward due to the interaction of cam slots 2750 a of lever 2750and pins 2744 f of valve 2744. In so doing, a stem 2744 g extending froman upper inner surface of valve 2744 presses down on center plunger 2612thus spacing or unseating gasket 2605 a from the ledge defined incentral opening 2604 a of outlet stem 2604 and compressing biasingmember 2608. With gasket 2605 a unseated, a fluid channel or passage isopened through which fluid, as indicated by arrow “F”, is delivered tofaucet tube 2730.

With gasket 2605 a unseated, a fluid channel or passage is openedthrough which fluid, as indicated by arrow “F”, is delivered to faucettube 2730. As so positioned, a fluid flow channel for fluid “F” iscreated through lumen 2602 b of fitting 2602, through central opening2604 a of outlet stem 2604 along ribs 2612 c of center plunger 2612,through window 2744 d formed in valve 2744, and into faucet tube 2730.

Turning now to FIGS. 68-85, a bottle assembly according to anotherembodiment of the present disclosure is generally designated as 3000. Asseen in FIG. 68, bottle assembly 3000 includes a body portion 3010, atop lid assembly 3100 configured and adapted for selective connection toan upper rim or edge 3014 a of body portion 3010; and a bottom lidassembly 3200 configured and adapted for selective connection to a lowerrim or edge 3014 b of body portion 3010.

As seen in FIG. 68, body portion 3010 defines a cavity 3012 forreceiving, retaining and/or storing a fluid therein. Body portion 3010is ergonomically formed to accommodate a hand of a user during use andmanipulation of bottle assembly 3000. As mentioned above, body portion3010 includes an upper rim 3014 a configured and adapted to operativelyengage top lid assembly 3100; and a bottom rim 3014 b configured andadapted to operatively engage bottom lid assembly 3200. It is envisionedthat each of upper rim 3014 a and bottom rim 3014 b may include a threadfor engaging a complementary thread provided on or in top lid assembly3100 and bottom lid assembly 3200, respectively. It is furtherenvisioned that each of upper rim 3014 a and bottom rim 3014 b and eachof top lid assembly 3100 and bottom lid assembly 3200, may include anycomplementary engaging structure, such as, for example, bayonet-typestructure, screw threads and the like.

With particular reference to FIGS. 68-78, a detailed description of toplid assembly 3100 will now be provided. Top lid assembly 3100 includes aspout bottom lid 3112 configured and adapted to operatively engage upperrim 3014 a of body portion 3010. As best seen in FIGS. 74 and 75, spoutbottom lid 3112 defines an upper recess 3114 formed therein, in which aspout is retained and from which the spout is selectively deployable, aswill be described in greater detail below.

Top lid assembly 3100 includes a spout lid 3116 operatively associatedwith spout bottom lid 3112 to selectively close and open recess 3114formed therein and allow for the spout to extend or be deployedtherefrom. Spout lid 3116 includes a pair of pivot bosses 3118 extendingoutwardly from a respective support arm 3120 which extend from a flap3123. Spout lid 3116 is pivotable from a first condition, as seen inFIGS. 68-71, in which flap 3123 of spout lid 3116 closes recess 3114 ofspout bottom lid 3112 to a second condition, as seen in FIGS. 72 and 73,in which flap 3123 of spout lid 3116 opens recess 3114 of spout bottomlid 3112 to enable a spout to extend therefrom.

It is envisioned that top lid assembly 3100 may include structure or thelike for maintaining spout lid 3116 in the first or closed condition orfor automatically returning spout lid 3116 to the closed conditionfollowing opening thereof. For example, top lid assembly 3100 mayinclude a biasing member 3124 for accomplishing such an automaticclosing function. In particular, as seen in FIG. 74, top lid assembly3100 may include a torsion spring 3124 which is supported on spoutbottom lid 3112 and which includes a first arm thereof for engaging ashoulder or a portion of spout bottom lid 3112 and a second arm thereoffor engaging structure of trigger 3170. In this manner, in operation,torsion spring 3124 will tend to maintain spout lid 3116 in the closedcondition as described above.

With reference to FIGS. 71-74 and 78, top lid assembly 3100 includes aguide member 3130 operatively supported on trigger 3170. As seen inFIGS. 74 and 78, guide member 3130 includes a pair of spaced apart,elongate, linear rails 3132 including external mounting bosses 3132 aextending therefrom for receipt into respective mounting holes 3170 aformed in trigger 3170. Guide member 3130 further includes a distal wall3134 extending between rails 3132 and defining an aperture 3134 atherein. Aperture 3134 a is configured and adapted to permit slidablepassage of a spout 3140 therethrough.

Distal wall 3134 includes a channel segment 3134 b extending beneathaperture 3134 a having a slot 3133 and being configured and adapted foroperative receipt of a lid lock 3135 (see FIG. 80) therein. Lid lock3135 functions to lock spout lid 3116 in a first or closed condition orto lock spout lid 3116 in an open condition. As seen in FIGS. 74 and 80,lid lock 3135 includes a pair of arms 3139 extending therefrom andconfigured for sliding receipt in channel segment 3134 b of guide member3130. Lid lock 3135 includes tab 3137 extending therefrom configured forengagement by a finger for manipulating or moving lid lock 3135 to/froma locking position to permit spout lid 3116 to move between the closedor open condition.

As illustrated in FIGS. 71 and 73, lid lock 3135 further includes a nub3141 located on the lower back of lid lock 3135. Slot 3133 of channelsegment 3134 b is configured and dimensioned to receive nub 3141 permitlid lock 3135 to move freely. However, as will be discussed in greaterdetail below, nub 3141 of lid lock 3135 and slot 3133 of channel segment3134 b on dimensioned such that lid lock 3135 is maintained in a lockedposition when nub 3141 is slid out of slot 3133.

With reference to FIGS. 71-74 and 77, top lid assembly 3100 furtherincludes a spout 3140 operatively supported on guide member 3130. Spout3140 defines a lumen 3142 extending therethrough and a pair of guidebosses 3144 extending outwardly from opposed sides thereof. Guide bosses3144 slidably engage an upper surface of rails 3132 of guide member3130. A distal portion 3146 of spout 3140 is configured and dimensionedto slidably extend through aperture 3134 a of guide member 3130. Spout3140 further includes a pair of opposed pivot apertures 3148 formedtherein for receiving pivot bosses 3122 extending inwardly from arms3120 of spout lid 3116 (see FIG. 76).

In operation, as will be described in greater detail below, as trigger3170 is actuated, spout 3140 is distally advanced along rails 3132 ofguide member 3130 and distal portion 3146 of spout 3140 is deployed orextended out of aperture 3134 of guide member 3130. When trigger 3170 isactuated to distally advance spout 3140, advancement of spout 3140results in spout lid 3116 pivoting about pivot bosses 3118 in order toopen recess 3114 of spout bottom lid 3112. It follows that, when trigger3170 is released, spout 3140 is withdrawn proximally along rails 3132 ofguide member 3130 and distal portion 3146 of spout 3140 is withdrawninto aperture 3134 of guide member 3130. When trigger 3170 is releasedto withdraw spout 3140, withdrawal of spout 3140 results in spout lid3116 pivoting about pivot bosses 3118 in order to close recess 3114 ofspout bottom lid 3112.

With reference now to FIGS. 68-74 and 79, top lid assembly 3100 furtherincludes a trigger 3170 for actuating or moving spout 3140 between anextended condition and a retracted condition. Trigger 3170 is pivotallysupported in recess 3114 of spout bottom lid 3112, about pivot point3174. Trigger 3170 includes a body portion 3172 including a pair ofspaced apart side walls 3172 a. Trigger 3170 includes an arm 3176extending from body portion 3172.

In use or operation, with spout 3140 in the retracted condition and withspout cover 3110 in the closed condition, as arm 3176 of trigger 3170 ismoved in the direction of arrow “A”, as seen in FIG. 70 (i.e., towardbody portion 3010 of bottle assembly 3000), body portion 3172 of trigger3170 is pivoted about pivot point 3174 causing guide member 3130,supported on body portion 3172 of trigger 3170 to also be raised thuscausing spout 3140 to be deployed, as described above. When arm 3176 oftrigger 3170 is released, biasing member 3124 automatically returns bodyportion 3172 of trigger 3170 to an un-pivoted position (i.e., moves arm3176 in a direction opposite to arrow “A”) and causes spout 3140 to bewithdrawn into top lid assembly 3100.

In use or operation, tab 3137 of lid lock 3135 is manipulated or movedwith a finger to/from a locking position to permit spout lid 3116 tomove between the closed or open condition. As illustrated in FIG. 71,lid lock 3135 is in a closed position with nub 3141 shown engaged inslot 3133 of channel segment 3134 b of distal wall 3134 of guide member3130. Spout 3140 is withdrawn into top lid assembly 3100. As illustratedin FIG. 72, top lid assembly 3100 is in an open position with spout 3140fully deployed as described above in greater detail. Tab 3137 of lidlock 3135 is manipulated upwards with a finger to a locking position tolock spout 3140 into the fully deployed open position. As lid lock 3135is manipulated upwards, nub 3141 is raised upwards in slot 3133 and iscaused to move out of slot 3133 of channel segment 3134 b and tofrictionally engage with a surface of channel segment 3134 b (see FIG.73). To unlock spout 3140, a finger is used to manipulate tab 3137 oflid lock 3135 downwards causing nub 3141 to re-enter slot 3133 and thusallow the top lid assembly 3100 to return to a closed, retractedposition.

As seen in FIGS. 70-71, and 73-74 top lid assembly 3100 further includesan upper resilient tube 3150 having a first end 3150 a fluidly connectedto a proximal portion 3141 of spout 3140 and a second end 3150 b fluidlyconnected to an elbow 3152 which is fluidly connected to a port 3166(see FIG. 71) formed in a bottom surface of spout bottom lid 3112. Inoperation, when spout 3140 is fully retracted, as seen in FIGS. 70-71,resilient tube 3150 is kinked or bent over, thereby occluding a lumen3154 extending therethrough. With the lumen of resilient tube 3150occluded, fluid is prevented from traveling therethrough. Then spout3140 is deployed, as seen in FIG. 73, resilient tube 3150 is partiallyextended thereby opening the kink and opening the lumen extendingthrough resilient tube 3150. With the lumen of resilient tube 3150 atleast partially open, fluid is allowed to flow therethrough.

As seen in FIGS. 68, 70-71, and 74, top lid assembly 3100 furtherincludes a straw 3190 extending from port 3166 into cavity 3012 of bodyportion 3010 of bottle assembly 3000. An end of straw 3190 extends intocavity 3012 of body portion 3010 and terminates near a bottom of bodyportion 3010.

As seen in FIG. 71, spout bottom lid 3112 includes a venting region 3112a formed therein. Venting region 3112 a includes pores which extendthrough the surface of spout bottom lid 3112. Top lid assembly 3100further includes an umbrella valve 3113 operatively associated withventing region 3112 a. In particular, umbrella valve 3113 is positionedon an upper surface of venting region 3112 a and provides venting intoand/or out of cavity 3012 of body portion 3010 during charging,recharging, draining and/or emptying of bottle assembly 3000.

Turning now to FIGS. 68-70, 81, and 82, a detailed discussion of bottomlid assembly 3200 is provided. Bottom lid assembly 3200 is substantiallysimilar to bottom lid assembly 2200 and thus will only be describedherein in detail to the extent necessary to identify differences inconstruction and operation.

Bottom lid assembly 3200 includes a bottom cover 3242 defining anannular channel 3242 a configured and adapted to threadingly engagebottom rim 3014 b of body portion 3010 in a fluid tight manner. Bottomcover 3242 includes a central opening 3242 b defined by an inner annularwall 3242 c (see FIGS. 81 and 82).

Bottom lid assembly 3200 further includes a valve assembly 3244 (seeFIGS. 81-83) operatively connected to bottom cover 3242 and disposedover central opening 3242 b. Valve assembly 3244 enables passage offluid into cavity 3012 of body portion 3010 and not out of cavity 3012of body portion 3010. Valve assembly 3244 includes a central hub 3244 aconnected to an annular rim 3244 b via webs 3244 c thereby definingapertures or windows 3244 d.

As further illustrated in FIG. 83, valve assembly 3244 further includesa spring 3248 disposed within central hub 3244 a of valve 3244 andsupported on a nipple 3246. Spring 3248 functions to maintain nipple3246 in a lower position relative to central hub 3244 a such that o-ring3250 is seated against a ledge (e.g., an annular ledge) defined in innerannular wall 3242 c of bottom cover 3242, thereby occluding or closingfluid passage. Nipple 3246 further includes arms 3246 a and 3246 bextending therefrom which are configured to extend through central hub3244 a of valve 3244 (see FIG. 82).

Turning now to FIGS. 84 and 85, a charging valve assembly for use withand for filling or re-filling bottle assembly 3000, is generally shownas 3600 which is substantially similar to charging valve assembly 2600of the present disclosure and thus will only be described herein indetail to the extent necessary to identify differences in constructionand operation.

Use of charging valve assembly 3600 with bottle assembly 3000, entailsplacement of bottom lid assembly 3200 of bottle assembly 3000 ontocharging valve assembly 3600 such that central opening 3242 b of bottomlid assembly 3200 is aligned with central opening 3620 a of plunger cap3620. Bottle assembly 3000 is then pressed down onto charging valveassembly 3600 such that bottle assembly 3000 presses down on plunger cap3620 (see FIG. 85), which in turn allows for an end of outlet stem 3604to be exposed from plunger cap 3620 and to extend into central opening3242 b of bottom lid assembly 3200.

When bottle assembly 3000 is fully placed on charging valve assembly3600, as seen in FIG. 85, plunger cap 3620 is fully depressed therebycompressing biasing member 3622. Additionally, annular channel 3604 d ofstem 3604 is aligned with the at least one aperture 3242 d formed in aside wall of inner annular wall 3242 c of bottom cover 3242.

As such, when bottle assembly 3000 is fully placed on charging valveassembly 3600, stem 3242 e of valve assembly 3244 of bottom cover 3242presses down on center plunger 3612 thus spacing or unseating gasket3605 a from the ledge defined in central opening 3604 a of outlet stem3604 and compressing biasing member 3608. With gasket 3605 a unseated, afluid channel or passage is opened through which fluid, is delivered tobottle assembly 3000. In operation, as mentioned above, the force of thefluid being delivered results in hub 3244 a of valve 3244 separatingfrom inner annular wall 3242 c of bottom cover 3242. As so positioned, afluid flow channel for fluid is created through lumen 3602 b of fitting3602, through central opening 3604 a of outlet stem 3604 along ribs 3612c of center plunger 3612, through annular channel 3604 d of stem 3604,through the at least one aperture 3242 d formed in a side wall of innerannular wall 3242 c of bottom cover 3242, through windows 3244 d ofvalve assembly 3244 and into bottle assembly 3000.

When bottle assembly 3000 is fully positioned on charging valve assembly3600 a fluid tight seal is created between gaskets 3605 b and 3605 c ofstem 3604 and an inner surface of from inner annular wall 3244 c ofbottom cover 3242, wherein an upper gasket 3605 b is disposed above theat least one aperture 3242 d formed in a side wall of inner annular wall3242 c of bottom cover 3242 and a lower gasket 3605 c is disposed belowthe at least one aperture 3242 d formed in a side wall of inner annularwall 3242 c of bottom cover 3242.

When bottle assembly 3000 is charged or recharged to a full or desiredamount of fluid, bottle assembly 3000 is lifted-off, removed ordisconnected from charging valve assembly 3600. In so doing, valveassembly 3244 is closed or reseated due to the resiliency thereof andcharging valve assembly 3600 is closed due to biasing member 3608 movingcenter plunger 3612 in order to reseat gasket 3605 a against the ledgedefined in central opening 3604 a of outlet stem 3604.

In order to fill other vessels other than bottle assemblies 3000,charging valve assembly 3600 may be configured for use with a faucetassembly such as the faucet assembly 2700 shown in FIGS. 65-67, which isconfigured and adapted for selective removable connection to chargingvalve assembly 3600.

It is envisioned and within the present disclosure that any vessel forcontaining fluid may be adapted for bottom filling (e.g., include aone-way valve assembly operatively provided in a bottom surfacethereof). For example, it is envisioned that bottles, faucet taps, jugs,mugs, cups, thermoses, vases, tubs, bowls, pots, planters, and the likemay be provided with a one-way valve assembly for filling from thebottoms thereof.

While several particular forms of the charging/recharging system havebeen illustrated and described, it will also be apparent that variousmodifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe present disclosure.

Thus, it should be understood that various changes in form, detail andapplication of the charging/recharging system of the present disclosuremay be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A container for fluids, comprising: a bodyportion defining a cavity therein and having a top end and a bottom end;and a bottom portion attached to the bottom end of the body portion, thebottom portion including a valve assembly, the valve assembly including:a valve insert defining an opening therethrough; and a valve membraneoperably disposed over the valve insert, the valve membrane including atleast one aperture defined therethrough that is offset relative to theopening of the valve insert, the valve membrane moveable relative to thevalve insert between a closed position, wherein the valve membrane isdisposed about the opening of the valve insert to seal the opening, andan open position, wherein the valve membrane is spaced apart from theopening of the valve insert to define a fluid path extending between theopening of the valve insert and the at least one aperture of the valvemembrane for passage of fluid into the cavity defined within the bodyportion.
 2. The container for fluids according to claim 1, wherein thevalve assembly is a one-way valve oriented so as to prevent fluid fromflowing out of the cavity.
 3. The container for fluids according toclaim 1, wherein the valve membrane includes a plurality of aperturesdefined therethrough and disposed annularly about the opening of thevalve insert.
 4. The container for fluids according to claim 1, whereinthe valve membrane is formed at least partially from an elastomericmaterial.
 5. The container for fluids according to claim 1, wherein thevalve membrane is biased toward the closed position.
 6. The containerfor fluids according to claim 1, wherein the valve membrane is axiallymoveable between the closed position and the open position with respectto the valve insert along a longitudinal axis of the body portion. 7.The container for fluids according to claim 1, wherein the valveassembly is centrally positioned relative to the bottom portion.
 8. Afilling system, comprising: at least one container for fluids, eachcontainer for fluids including: a body portion defining a cavity thereinand having a top end and a bottom end; a bottom portion attached to thebottom end of the body portion, the bottom portion including a valveassembly, the valve assembly including a valve insert defining anopening therethrough, and a valve membrane operably disposed over thevalve insert, the valve membrane defining at least one aperturetherethrough that is offset relative to the opening of the valve insert;at least one fluid dispensing station, each fluid dispensing stationincluding: a charging valve assembly configured to releasably engage thevalve assembly of the bottom portion; a supply assembly operably coupledto the charging valve assembly for supplying a fluid to the chargingvalve assembly; and wherein, upon engagement of the charging valveassembly of the fluid dispensing station and the valve assembly of thebottom portion, the valve membrane is moved relative to the valve insertfrom a closed position, wherein the valve membrane is disposed about theopening of the valve insert to seal the opening, to an open position,wherein the valve membrane is spaced apart from the opening of the valveinsert to define a fluid path extending between the opening of the valveinsert and the at least one aperture of the valve diaphragm to permitthe fluid from the supply assembly to flow into the cavity definedwithin the body portion to at least partially fill the cavity of thebody portion with the fluid.
 9. The filling system according to claim 8,wherein the valve membrane is biased toward the closed position.
 10. Thefilling system according to claim 8, wherein the valve membrane isaxially moveable between the closed position and the open position withrespect to the valve insert along a longitudinal axis of the bodyportion.
 11. The filling system according to claim 8, wherein thecharging valve assembly includes: a nipple extending from an uppersurface thereof and defining a lumen therethrough; and a plungerdisposed within the lumen of the nipple, the plunger moveable withrespect to the nipple between a first position, wherein the lumen of thenipple is occluded to prevent fluid from passing therethrough, and asecond position, wherein the lumen of the nipple is not occluded suchthat fluid is permitted to pass therethrough.
 12. The filling systemaccording to claim 11, wherein, upon engagement of the charging valveassembly of the fluid dispensing station and the valve assembly of thebottom portion, the plunger is moved to the second position to permitthe fluid from the supply assembly to flow into the cavity definedwithin the body portion.
 13. A filling system, comprising: at least onecontainer for fluids, each container for fluids including: a bodyportion defining a cavity therein and having a top end and a bottom end;a bottom portion attached to the bottom end of the body portion, thebottom portion including a valve assembly, the valve assembly includinga valve insert defining an opening therethrough, and a valve membraneoperably disposed over the valve insert, the valve membrane defining atleast one aperture therethrough that is offset relative to the openingof the valve insert; at least one fluid dispensing station, each fluiddispensing station including: a charging valve assembly configured toreleasably engage the valve assembly of the bottom portion, the chargingvale assembly including a nipple extending from an upper surface thereofand defining a lumen therethrough, a plunger disposed within the lumenof the nipple, the plunger moveable with respect to the nipple between afirst position, wherein the lumen of the nipple is occluded to preventfluid from passing therethrough, and a second position, wherein thelumen of the nipple is not occluded such that fluid is permitted to passtherethrough; a supply assembly operably coupled to the charging valveassembly for supplying a fluid to the charging valve assembly; andwherein, upon engagement of the charging valve assembly of the fluiddispensing station and the valve assembly of the bottom portion, thevalve membrane is moved relative to the valve insert from a closedposition, wherein the valve membrane is disposed about the opening ofthe valve insert to seal the opening, to an open position, wherein thevalve membrane is spaced apart from the opening of the valve insert todefine a fluid path extending between the opening of the valve insertand the at least one aperture of the valve diaphragm to permit the fluidfrom the supply assembly to flow into the cavity defined within the bodyportion to at least partially fill the cavity of the body portion withthe fluid.
 14. A fluid transfer system for filing beverage receptacles,comprising: at least one beverage receptacle, each beverage receptacleincluding: a body portion defining a cavity; and a fluid communicationassembly coupled to the body portion, the fluid communication assemblyincluding an insert defining an opening therethrough and a membraneoperably disposed over the insert, the membrane defining at least oneaperture therethrough that is offset relative to the opening of theinsert; at least one fluid dispensing station, each fluid dispensingstation including: at least one charging valve assembly configured toreleasably engage the fluid communication assembly; at least onepressurized supply assembly operably coupled to the at least onecharging valve assembly for supplying a fluid to the at least onecharging valve assembly; and wherein, upon engagement of the at leastone charging valve assembly of the fluid dispensing station and thefluid communication assembly of the beverage receptacle, the membrane ismoved relative to the insert from a closed position, wherein themembrane is disposed about the opening of the insert to seal theopening, and an open position, wherein the membrane is spaced apart fromthe opening of the insert to define a fluid path extending between theopening of the insert and the at least one aperture of the membrane topermit the fluid from the at least one pressurized supply assembly toautomatically flow into the cavity defined within the body portion to atleast partially fill the cavity of the body portion with the fluid.